Our industrial PVC pipe and fittings are manufactured in both inch and metric industry standards and conform to all relevant British and DIN specifications.
PVC is the common popular term used to describe any plastic made from the polyvinyl-chloride. The "U" part of PVCU denotes that it is Un-plasticised and so has not had a plasticiser added to it to make it soft (eg: for tarpaulins) - so, more correctly, any rigid PVC product should be termed UPVC or PVCU. Most people, however, just call it PVC.
Most countries have their own standards and testing systems for approval of items for use in potable water supplies. In the UK, products are tested by independent laboratories and then the results are submitted for WRAS approval (other such standards include NSF in USA, KIWA in Europe). All our PVC pipe and fittings are WRAS approved.
Food safety of a material is a very generic term as it depends what the food is. The WRAS approval shows that it is safe for drinking water, and this would also apply to most foodstuffs. For highly concentrated aggressive or oily ingredients, however, the chemical resistance table should be checked.
WRAS approved PVC pipe is ideal for aquariums as it does not leach anything into the water. Care should be taken during the construction of the pipe system and at least 24 hours allowed for the cement to properly cure. A new pipe system should always be flushed with non-aquarium water first to remove any residues from the cement curing process.
Deciding what size to use for your pipe system can be tricky. Get the pipe size too small, and you either won't achieve the required flow rates or you will have to use more energy pumping; get the size too big and you run the risk of settlement of solids in the pipe line as a result of very low flow, as well as spending more on your PVC pipe system than you needed to.
PVC pipe and fittings are suited to many applications. They are probably the most widely used of all plastic pipe systems in industrial applications and you will find them in the water treatment, swimming pool, cooling, heating, electroplating chemical and process industries to name but a few.
PVC (PVCU) pipe systems are widely used in agriculture and horticulture for drip and spray irrigation of glasshouses and polytunnels, farm slurry handling systems and also for water supply around animal husbandry units. Many on farm biogas systems also use PVC pipe for waste and low pressure gas transfer.
PVC pipes find their way into many other non-industrial applications. You will often find them in lots of domestic locations where PVC is the top material of choice for ponds, hot tubs, pools, home irrigation systems and marine aquariums. PVC pipes are often confused with waste pipes. The sizes for sinks, baths, gutters etc. are a lighter weight plastic as they do not need to handle pressure and are not compatible with pressure pipe.
Specification | |
---|---|
PVC Pipe Operating Temperature | PVC pipe has a recommended operating temperature of 0 - 60 degrees centigrade (32 - 140°F). It should always be borne in mind that the pressure rating of a PVCU pipe drops with rising temperature. |
Connection of PVC Pipe | PVC pipe is connected either by solvent cement welding or threading. Solvent welding, the most common method, involves cleaning and then painting a cement onto the pipe and socket, before pushing together to make a permanent bond. Threading PVCU pipe involves using a thread sealant like PTFE tape, winding it round the male part of the thread and then screwing together. Threading of UPVC pipe is more likely to result in leaks than solvent welding. See our video on How to solvent weld PVC Pipe. If you do find a leak in a joint that you have made, it may require the section of pipe to be cut out and replaced. Some fitters find that if they can introduce a small vacuum to the pipe system, they can paint solvent cement around where the leak is and it will draw the cement in a seal the leak. |
Abrasion Resistance of PVC Pipe | PVC has a good abrasion resistance but not as good as ABS pipe. |
PVC Pipe Rigidity | PVC pipe is rigid and is not designed to be flexible. It has little or no flexibility especially in larger sizes. |
Electrostatic Qualities | If the PVC pipe is used for air or blown particles, the pipe wall can build up static electricity which can arc to nearby earthed objects and become a fire hazard or health and safety issue for pipe workers. It is generally recommended that PVC is not used for air. If PVCU pipe is used in such an instance, areas being worked on should be sprayed with a 50/50 detergent solution, which will prevent shocks to the workers. |
Toxicity of PVC Pipe | The WRAS approval of our PVC pipe and fittings means that they have been tested as safe for drinking water. PVCU pipe is non-toxic. |
Food Safety | Food safety is a very complicated term. As to whether PVC pipe is food safe depends very much on the type of food and the concentration of the ingredients. Although our PVC pipe is WRAS approved for drinking water, the chemical resistance data (below) should be checked to ensure food safety. |
Chemical resistance profile | Good with most acids, alkalis and salts but PVC pipe is poor with aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. You can find more information on our PVC Pipe Chemical Compatibility Chart. If you unsure about a chemical you are using, it is best to ring us and we will be happy to advise and find a solution for you. |
Pipe Clip Spacing | Correct spacing of pipe clips is essential in PVC pipe systems to ensure there is no undue stress on the pipe. For recommended measurements see the Pipe Clip Spacings Table. |
PVC Pipe Dimensions | The dimensions of our pipe and fittings conform to BS and DIN Standards. See Imperial PVC Pipe Dimension Tables and Metric PVC Pipe Dimension Tables for more information. |
Pressure De-rating of PVC Pipe | As temperature increases, the pressure rating of the pipe decreases. See Pressure Derating Table for how to calculate. |
Watch:
How PVC
Pipe and Fittings Fit Together (1 min)
Plastic Pipe and fittings can be subdivided into two main categories, imperial (inch sizes) and metric:
These PVC pipe and fittings are typically found in North America and the UK. They use a measurement, denoted in inches, which is based on the "approximate bore" (also referred to as the "nominal bore") of the PVCU pipe. For example, a 2" PVC pipe will have a "nominal bore" of 2 inches, but the likelihood is that nothing on the plastic piping system will measure exactly 2 inches!
The outside diameter of a plastic PVC pipe is the one which is 100% consistent and the one which is controlled along its length during manufacture. During the extrusion manufacture process of PVC pipe, the soft plastic tube passes through a temperature-controlled cooling bath. As plastic shrinks as it cools, only one dimension of the PVC pipe, the inner or the outer, can be accurately controlled. The option is made to control the outside diameter of the pipe so that when fitting a PVC pipe into a PVC fitting, the pipe will always be a good fit. The wall thickness of PVC pipe changes with the pressure rating (it is thicker for high pressure pipe and thinner for low pressure pipe), but the outside diameter must always measure the same so that the pipe and fittings will marry up together properly.
This left the original PVC pipe design engineers with a problem. They were used to doing their calculations for flow based on the inside diameter of a pipe, as this governed the flow and head-loss characteristics. PVC pipe, however, was manufactured with a fixed outside diameter. In order to find a solution, they set out a range of standards which ensured that if a pipework engineer was doing his calculations, a 2" pipe would have a bore of approximately 2", which would make his calculations easier. What that meant, was that the outside diameter of a 2" pipe would have to be quite a bit larger, as it had to be ensured that, even with the highest-pressure rating of pipe (with the thickest wall), the inside diameter was still in the region of 2". In fact, if we take our 2" PVC pipe as an example, all standard 2" PVC pipe has an internal diameter of greater than 2", which means that all flow calculations err on the side of safety. The exception to this is very thick-walled pipe, such as Schedule 120 PVC pipe, which is designed for very high-pressure applications and in particular threading.
As a result, the standard outside diameter of 2" PVC pipe ended up at 60.3mm, which is 2.37". Rather confusingly, this then meant that 1 1/2" PVC pipe, like all imperial pipe, also has a larger standard outside diameter than 1 1/2", and this measurement ended up at 48.3mm (or 1.9") - which is almost 2"!
Our standard 1/2" to 4" imperial PVCU pipe is supplied in 5m lengths with plain ends. Other sizes are supplied in 6m lengths, also with plain ends. Class 7 PVC pipe is supplied in 3m lengths. The table below shows the different wall thicknesses and internal bores.
Class C PVC Pipe, 9 bar | Class E PVC Pipe, 15 bar | Class 7 PVC Pipe for Threading | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pipe Size | Outside Diameter (mm) | Internal Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Internal Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Internal Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) |
1/2 inch | 21.4 | - | - | 18 | 1.7 | 14 | 3.7 |
3/4 inch | 26.7 | - | - | 22.9 | 1.9 | 18.9 | 3.9 |
1 inch | 33.4 | - | - | 29 | 2.2 | 24.4 | 4.5 |
1 1/4 inch | 42.2 | 37.8 | 2.2 | 36.8 | 2.7 | 32.6 | 4.8 |
1 1/2 inch | 48.3 | 43.3 | 2.5 | 42.1 | 3.1 | 38.1 | 5.1 |
2 inch | 60.3 | 55.3 | 2.5 | 52.5 | 3.9 | 49.3 | 5.5 |
2 1/2 inch | 75.2 | 68 | 3.6 | 64 | 5.6 | - | - |
3 inch | 88.9 | 81.9 | 3.5 | 77.5 | 5.7 | - | - |
4 inch | 114.3 | 105.3 | 4.5 | 99.7 | 7.3 | - | - |
6 inch | 168.3 | 155.1 | 6.6 | 144.1 | 12.1 | - | - |
8 inch | 219.1 | 203.5 | 7.8 | 190.9 | 14.1 | - | - |
The metric PVC pipe and fitting system was developed much later than the imperial PVC pipe and fitting system (above). It was also developed, some would say, with a bit more sense. Like the imperial pipe and fittings, the controlled diameter of the PVC pipe during manufacture is still the outside diameter, and so this remains consistent throughout different pressure ratings. However, unlike the inch sizes of PVC pipe, the outside diameter of the pipe is the stated diameter of the pipe. So, a 63mm PVCU pipe will always measure 63mm on the outside diameter, a 32mm PVCU pipe will measure 32mm on the outside diameter etc. etc.
The bore of mm sizes of PVC pipe varies with the pressure rating. A higher-pressure rating means a thicker tube wall and so a smaller internal diameter.
As mentioned above, getting the correct size of PVC pipe can sometimes be a challenge. To avoid confusion, you should ALWAYS measure your PVC pipe in millimetres and not in inches.
If you are at all unsure about which is the correct pipe size for you, it is always best to call us and we will help you find the best solution for your application.
Our metric PVC pipe is supplied in 5m lengths with a socket moulded on the end. The exception to this is 16mm pipe, which is plain ended 5m lengths, and sizes of 225mm and over, which are also plain ended but in 6m lengths.
10 Bar PVC Pipe | 16 Bar PVC Pipe | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pipe Size | Outside Diameter (mm) | Internal Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Internal Diameter (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) |
16mm | 16 | 13.0 | 1.5 | - | - |
20mm | 20 | 18.0 | 1.0 | 17 | 1.5 |
25mm | 25 | 22.5 | 1.25 | 21.2 | 1.9 |
32mm | 32 | 28.4 | 1.8 | 27.2 | 2.4 |
40mm | 40 | 36.2 | 1.9 | 34 | 3.0 |
50mm | 50 | 45.2 | 2.4 | 42.6 | 3.7 |
63mm | 63 | 57 | 3.0 | 53.6 | 4.7 |
75mm | 75 | 67.8 | 3.6 | 63.8 | 5.6 |
90mm | 90 | 81.4 | 4.3 | 76.6 | 6.7 |
110mm | 110 | 101.6 | 4.2 | 96.8 | 6.6 |
125mm | 125 | 115.4 | 4.8 | 110.2 | 7.4 |
140mm | 140 | 129.2 | 5.4 | 123.4 | 8.3 |
160mm | 160 | 147.6 | 6.2 | 141 | 9.5 |
200mm | 200 | 184.6 | 7.7 | 176.2 | 11.9 |
225mm | 225 | 207.8 | 8.6 | 198.2 | 13.4 |
250mm | 250 | 230.8 | 9.6 | 220.4 | 14.8 |
315mm | 315 | 290.8 | 12.1 | 277.6 | 18.7 |
The pressure rating of PVC pipe reduces with increasing temperature. Multiply the pressure rating of the PVC pipe by the ′De-Rating Multiple′ to get the actual pressure rating at that operating temperature. For example, a 9 bar pipe operating at 30°C will be 9 x 0.8 = 7.2bar.
Temperature | de-Rating Multiple |
---|---|
≤20°C | 1.00 |
30°C | 0.80 |
40°C | 0.58 |
50°C | 0.39 |
60° | 0.22 |
≥60°C | Not recommended |
Watch:
Pressure
Derating Multiples (2 mins)
These spacings between pipe clips are given on the assumption that the PVC pipe is carrying water at 20°C and 40°C. For lighter loads, the spacing could be extended, and for heavier loads, the pipe clips could be positioned closer together. Be sure to provide additional support either side of elbows, bends and in sections of PVC pipe with heavy items such as valves, flange sets etc. At 60°C, continuous support is necessary.
Pipe Size | Spacing (m) at 20°C | Spacing (m) at 40°C |
---|---|---|
⅜" / 16mm | 0.7 | 0.6 |
½" / 20mm | 0.8 | 0.7 |
¾" / 25mm | 0.9 | 0.7 |
1" / 32mm | 1.0 | 0.8 |
1 ¼" / 40mm | 1.1 | 0.9 |
1 ½" / 50mm | 1.2 | 1.0 |
2" / 63mm | 1.3 | 1.1 |
2 ½" / 75mm | 1.4 | 1.2 |
3" / 90mm | 1.6 | 1.3 |
4" / 110mm | 1.8 | 1.5 |
- / 125mm | 1.9 | 1.6 |
5" / 140mm | 2.1 | 1.7 |
6" / 160mm | 2.2 | 1.8 |
8" / 200mm | 2.5 | 2.0 |
- / 225mm | 2.6 | 2.1 |
10" / 250mm | 2.8 | 2.3 |
12" / 315mm | 3.0 | 2.5 |
Watch:
How Close
Together Do Your Pipe Clips Need to Be? (4 mins)
Ratings are given in terms of the suitability of PVCU pipe to carry a specific chemical. For some chemicals no reliable data is available and so no data is given.
Please note the following:
- The effect of any chemical on PVC pipe systems may be dependent on factors such as temperature, pressure, concentrations and abrasiveness. Materials should be tested under actual conditions to determine the suitability for a specific application.
- This information has been supplied to Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd by its suppliers and from other reputable sources. The information should only be used as a guide.
- The ratings for each chemical are based on a period of 48-hour exposure of the PVC pipe.
- Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd does not guarantee (neither express or implied) that this information is accurate or complete. Further Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd does not by way of this information make any recommendation that any material is suitable for any purpose.
Chemical Name | Resistance Level |
---|---|
Acetaldehyde | Unsuitable |
Acetamide | Unsuitable |
Acetate Solvent | Unsuitable |
Acetic Acid | Unsuitable |
Acetic Acid 20% | Unsuitable |
Acetic Acid 80% | Poor |
Acetic Acid, Glacial | Unsuitable |
Acetic Anhydride | Unsuitable |
Acetone | Unsuitable |
Acetyl Bromide | Unsuitable |
Acetyl Chloride (dry) | Poor |
Acetylene | Excellent up to 22°C |
Acrylonitrile | Good up to 22°C |
Adipic Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Alcohols:Amyl | Excellent up to 48°C |
Alcohols:Benzyl | Unsuitable |
Alcohols:Butyl | Excellent up to 48°C |
Alcohols:Diacetone | Good up to 22°C |
Alcohols:Ethyl | Poor |
Alcohols:Hexyl | Excellent up to 48°C |
Alcohols:Isobutyl | Excellent up to 22°C |
Alcohols:Isopropyl | Excellent up to 22°C |
Alcohols:Methyl | Excellent up to 22°C |
Alcohols:Octyl | No Data |
Alcohols:Propyl | Excellent up to 22°C |
Aluminum Chloride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Aluminum Chloride 20% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Aluminum Fluoride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Aluminum Hydroxide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Aluminum Nitrate | Good up to 48°C |
Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 10% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 100% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Aluminum Sulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Alums | No Data |
Amines | Unsuitable |
Ammonia 10% | Good up to 22°C |
Ammonia Nitrate | Good |
Ammonia, anhydrous | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonia, liquid | Excellent up to 22°C |
Ammonium Acetate | Excellent |
Ammonium Bifluoride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Carbonate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Caseinate | No Data |
Ammonium Chloride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Hydroxide | Excellent |
Ammonium Nitrate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Oxalate | Excellent |
Ammonium Persulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Phosphate, Dibasic | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Phosphate, Monobasic | Excellent |
Ammonium Phosphate, Tribasic | Excellent |
Ammonium Sulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Sulfite | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ammonium Thiosulfate | No Data |
Amyl Acetate | Unsuitable |
Amyl Alcohol | Excellent up to 48°C |
Amyl Chloride | Unsuitable |
Aniline | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Aniline Hydrochloride | Good up to 48°C |
Antifreeze | Excellent |
Antimony Trichloride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Aqua Regia (80% HCl, 20% HNO3) | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Arochlor 1248 | No Data |
Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Unsuitable |
Arsenic Acid | Excellent up to 22°C |
Arsenic Salts | Excellent |
Asphalt | Excellent up to 48°C |
Barium Carbonate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Barium Chloride | Excellent up to 22°C |
Barium Cyanide | Unsuitable |
Barium Hydroxide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Barium Nitrate | Excellent |
Barium Sulfate | Good up to 22°C |
Barium Sulfide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Beer | Excellent up to 48°C |
Beet Sugar Liquids | Excellent up to 48°C |
Benzaldehyde | Unsuitable |
Benzene | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Benzene Sulfonic Acid | Excellent |
Benzoic Acid | Excellent |
Benzol | No Data |
Benzonitrile | No Data |
Benzyl Chloride | No Data |
Bleaching Liquors | Excellent up to 22°C |
Borax (Sodium Borate) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Boric Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Brewery Slop | No Data |
Bromine | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Butadiene | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Butane | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Butter | No Data |
Buttermilk | Excellent up to 22°C |
Butyl Amine | Unsuitable |
Butyl Ether | Excellent up to 48°C |
Butyl Phthalate | No Data |
Butylacetate | Unsuitable |
Butylene | Excellent up to 22°C |
Butyric Acid | Good up to 22°C |
Calcium Bisulfate | No Data |
Calcium Bisulfide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Calcium Bisulfite | Good |
Calcium Carbonate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Calcium Chlorate | Good up to 48°C |
Calcium Chloride | Poor |
Calcium Hydroxide | Good |
Calcium Hypochlorite | Good up to 22°C |
Calcium Nitrate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Calcium Oxide | Good |
Calcium Sulfate | Good up to 48°C |
Calgon | No Data |
Cane Juice | Excellent up to 22°C |
Carbolic Acid (Phenol) | Unsuitable |
Carbon Bisulfide | Unsuitable |
Carbon Dioxide (dry) | Excellent up to 48°C |
Carbon Dioxide (wet) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Carbon Disulfide | Unsuitable |
Carbon Monoxide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Carbon Tetrachloride | Unsuitable |
Carbon Tetrachloride (dry) | No Data |
Carbon Tetrachloride (wet) | No Data |
Carbonated Water | Excellent |
Carbonic Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Catsup | Excellent |
Chloric Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Chlorinated Glue | No Data |
Chlorine (dry) | Unsuitable |
Chlorine Water | Excellent up to 48°C |
Chlorine, Anhydrous Liquid | Unsuitable |
Chloroacetic Acid | Good up to 22°C |
Chlorobenzene (Mono) | Unsuitable |
Chlorobromomethane | Unsuitable |
Chloroform | Unsuitable |
Chlorosulfonic Acid | Unsuitable |
Chocolate Syrup | No Data |
Chromic Acid 10% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Chromic Acid 30% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Chromic Acid 5% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Chromic Acid 50% | Unsuitable |
Chromium Salts | Excellent |
Cider | Excellent |
Citric Acid | Good up to 48°C |
Citric Oils | No Data |
Cloroxr (Bleach) | Excellent |
Coffee | No Data |
Copper Chloride | Excellent up to 22°C |
Copper Cyanide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Copper Fluoborate | Excellent |
Copper Nitrate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Copper Sulfate >5% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Copper Sulfate 5% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Cream | No Data |
Cresols | Unsuitable |
Cresylic Acid | Unsuitable |
Cupric Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Cyanic Acid | No Data |
Cyclohexane | Unsuitable |
Cyclohexanone | Unsuitable |
Detergents | Excellent |
Diacetone Alcohol | Unsuitable |
Dichlorobenzene | Unsuitable |
Dichloroethane | Unsuitable |
Diesel Fuel | Excellent up to 22°C |
Diethyl Ether | Unsuitable |
Diethylamine | Unsuitable |
Diethylene Glycol | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Dimethyl Aniline | Unsuitable |
Dimethyl Formamide | Unsuitable |
Diphenyl | No Data |
Diphenyl Oxide | Unsuitable |
Dyes | Good |
Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Ethane | Excellent up to 22°C |
Ethanol | Poor |
Ethanolamine | Unsuitable |
Ether | Unsuitable |
Ethyl Acetate | Unsuitable |
Ethyl Benzoate | Unsuitable |
Ethyl Chloride | Unsuitable |
Ethyl Ether | Unsuitable |
Ethyl Sulfate | No Data |
Ethylene Bromide | Unsuitable |
Ethylene Chloride | Unsuitable |
Ethylene Chlorohydrin | Unsuitable |
Ethylene Diamine | Unsuitable |
Ethylene Dichloride | Unsuitable |
Ethylene Glycol | Excellent |
Ethylene Oxide | Unsuitable |
Fatty Acids | Excellent |
Ferric Chloride | Excellent |
Ferric Nitrate | Excellent |
Ferric Sulfate | Excellent |
Ferrous Chloride | Excellent |
Ferrous Sulfate | Excellent |
Fluoboric Acid | Excellent |
Fluorine | Unsuitable |
Fluosilicic Acid | Unsuitable |
Formaldehyde 100% | Excellent |
Formaldehyde 40% | Excellent |
Formic Acid | Excellent up to 22°C |
Freon 113 | Good |
Freon 12 | Excellent up to 48°C |
Freon 22 | Excellent |
Freon TF | Good |
Freonr 11 | Excellent up to 48°C |
Fruit Juice | Excellent |
Fuel Oils | Excellent up to 48°C |
Furan Resin | Excellent |
Furfural | Unsuitable |
Gallic Acid | Good |
Gasoline (high-aromatic) | Excellent |
Gasoline, leaded, ref. | Good |
Gasoline, unleaded | Poor to 48°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Gelatin | Good |
Glucose | Excellent up to 48°C |
Glue, P.V.A. | Poor |
Glycerin | Excellent |
Glycolic Acid | Good |
Gold Monocyanide | No Data |
Grape Juice | Excellent |
Grease | Excellent |
Heptane | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Hexane | Good up to 22°C |
Honey | Excellent |
Hydraulic Oil (Petro) | Excellent |
Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) | Excellent |
Hydrazine | No Data |
Hydrobromic Acid 100% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Hydrobromic Acid 20% | Good up to 48°C |
Hydrochloric Acid 100% | Unsuitable |
Hydrochloric Acid 20% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Hydrochloric Acid 37% | Good |
Hydrochloric Acid, Dry Gas | Excellent up to 48°C |
Hydrocyanic Acid | Good |
Hydrocyanic Acid (Gas 10%) | Excellent |
Hydrofluoric Acid 100% | Poor |
Hydrofluoric Acid 20% | Good |
Hydrofluoric Acid 50% | Good up to 22°C |
Hydrofluoric Acid 75% | Poor |
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 100% | Good up to 22°C |
Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20% | Excellent up to 48°C |
Hydrogen Gas | Excellent up to 48°C |
Hydrogen Peroxide 10% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Hydrogen Peroxide 100% | Excellent |
Hydrogen Peroxide 30% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Hydrogen Peroxide 50% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Hydrogen Sulfide (aqua) | Good up to 22°C |
Hydrogen Sulfide (dry) | Excellent up to 48°C |
Hydroquinone | Good |
Hydroxyacetic Acid 70% | Unsuitable |
Ink | Poor |
Iodine | Excellent |
Iodine (in alcohol) | Excellent |
Iodoform | Excellent |
Isooctane | Excellent up to 22°C |
Isopropyl Acetate | Unsuitable |
Isopropyl Ether | Good |
Isotane | Excellent |
Jet Fuel (JP3, JP4, JP5) | Poor |
Kerosene | Excellent up to 48°C |
Ketones | Unsuitable |
Lacquer Thinners | Unsuitable |
Lacquers | Unsuitable |
Lactic Acid | Good up to 22°C |
Lard | Excellent up to 22°C |
Latex | No Data |
Lead Acetate | Good |
Lead Nitrate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Lead Sulfamate | Good |
Ligroin | No Data |
Lime | Good |
Linoleic Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Lithium Chloride | Unsuitable |
Lithium Hydroxide | No Data |
Lubricants | Good up to 48°C |
Lye: Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide | Good up to 48°C |
Lye: KOH Potassium Hydroxide | Good |
Lye: NaOH Sodium Hydroxide | Excellent |
Magnesium Bisulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Magnesium Carbonate | Good |
Magnesium Chloride | Good |
Magnesium Hydroxide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Magnesium Nitrate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Magnesium Oxide | No Data |
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Maleic Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Maleic Anhydride | No Data |
Malic Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Manganese Sulfate | Poor |
Mash | No Data |
Mayonnaise | Unsuitable |
Melamine | Unsuitable |
Mercuric Chloride (dilute) | Excellent |
Mercuric Cyanide | Excellent |
Mercurous Nitrate | Excellent |
Mercury | Excellent |
Methane | Good |
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Methyl Acetate | Unsuitable |
Methyl Acetone | Unsuitable |
Methyl Acrylate | No Data |
Methyl Alcohol 10% | Excellent up to 22°C |
Methyl Bromide | Unsuitable |
Methyl Butyl Ketone | Excellent |
Methyl Cellosolve | Unsuitable |
Methyl Chloride | Unsuitable |
Methyl Dichloride | Excellent |
Methyl Ethyl Ketone | Unsuitable |
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide | No Data |
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone | Unsuitable |
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone | Unsuitable |
Methyl Methacrylate | Excellent |
Methylamine | Unsuitable |
Methylene Chloride | Unsuitable |
Milk | Excellent up to 48°C |
Mineral Spirits | Excellent |
Molasses | Excellent |
Monochloroacetic acid | No Data |
Monoethanolamine | Unsuitable |
Morpholine | No Data |
Motor oil | Good |
Mustard | Good |
Naphtha | Excellent up to 22°C |
Naphthalene | Unsuitable |
Natural Gas | Excellent |
Nickel Chloride | Excellent |
Nickel Nitrate | Excellent |
Nickel Sulfate | Excellent |
Nitrating Acid (15% HNO3) | Unsuitable |
Nitrating Acid (>15% H2SO4) | Unsuitable |
Nitrating Acid (S1% Acid) | Unsuitable |
Nitrating Acid (S15% H2SO4) | Unsuitable |
Nitric Acid (20%) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Nitric Acid (50%) | Good up to 22°C |
Nitric Acid (5-10%) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Nitric Acid (Concentrated) | Good up to 22°C |
Nitrobenzene | Unsuitable |
Nitrogen Fertilizer | No Data |
Nitromethane | Good up to 48°C |
Nitrous Acid | Excellent |
Nitrous Oxide | Excellent |
Oils:Aniline | Unsuitable |
Oils:Anise | No Data |
Oils:Bay | No Data |
Oils:Bone | No Data |
Oils:Castor | Excellent |
Oils:Cinnamon | Unsuitable |
Oils:Citric | Good |
Oils:Clove | No Data |
Oils:Coconut | Excellent up to 22°C |
Oils:Cod Liver | Excellent up to 22°C |
Oils:Corn | Good |
Oils:Cottonseed | Good up to 48°C |
Oils:Creosote | Poor |
Oils:Diesel Fuel (20, 30, 40, 50) | Good |
Oils:Fuel (1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6) | Excellent up to 48°C |
Oils:Ginger | No Data |
Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Petro) | Excellent |
Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) | Excellent |
Oils:Lemon | No Data |
Oils:Linseed | Excellent up to 48°C |
Oils:Mineral | Good |
Oils:Olive | Poor |
Oils:Orange | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Oils:Palm | Excellent |
Oils:Peanut | Excellent up to 22°C |
Oils:Peppermint | No Data |
Oils:Pine | Unsuitable |
Oils:Rapeseed | No Data |
Oils:Rosin | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Oils:Sesame Seed | Excellent |
Oils:Silicone | Excellent |
Oils:Soybean | Excellent up to 22°C |
Oils:Sperm (whale) | No Data |
Oils:Tanning | No Data |
Oils:Transformer | Good |
Oils:Turbine | Excellent up to 22°C |
Oleic Acid | Poor to 48°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Oleum 100% | Unsuitable |
Oleum 25% | Unsuitable |
Oxalic Acid (cold) | Good |
Ozone | Good |
Palmitic Acid | Good up to 22°C |
Paraffin | Good |
Pentane | Excellent |
Perchloric Acid | Poor |
Perchloroethylene | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Petrolatum | Good |
Petroleum | No Data |
Phenol (10%) | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Phenol (Carbolic Acid) | Unsuitable |
Phosphoric Acid (>40%) | Good |
Phosphoric Acid (crude) | Good up to 48°C |
Phosphoric Acid (molten) | Unsuitable |
Phosphoric Acid (S40%) | Good |
Phosphoric Acid Anhydride | No Data |
Phosphorus | Excellent up to 22°C |
Phosphorus Trichloride | Unsuitable |
Photographic Developer | Excellent |
Photographic Solutions | Excellent |
Phthalic Acid | No Data |
Phthalic Anhydride | Unsuitable |
Picric Acid | Unsuitable |
Plating Antimony 130°F | Excellent |
Plating Arsenic 110°F | Excellent |
Plating Brass :High-Speed Brass Bath 110°F | Excellent |
Plating Brass :Regular Brass Bath 100°F | Excellent |
Plating Bronze :Cu-Cd Bronze Bath R.T. | Excellent |
Plating Bronze :Cu-Sn Bronze Bath 160°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Bronze :Cu-Zn Bronze Bath 100°F | Excellent |
Plating Cadmium :Cyanide Bath 90°F | Excellent |
Plating Cadmium :Fluoborate Bath 100°F | Excellent |
Plating Chromium :Barrel Chrome Bath 95°F | Excellent |
Plating Chromium :Black Chrome Bath 115°F | Excellent |
Plating Chromium :Chromic-Sulfuric Bath 130°F | Excellent |
Plating Chromium :Fluoride Bath 130°F | Excellent |
Plating Chromium :Fluosilicate Bath 95°F | Excellent |
Plating Copper (Acid):Copper Fluoborate Bath 120°F | Excellent |
Plating Copper (Acid):Copper Sulfate Bath R.T. | Excellent |
Plating Copper (Cyanide):Copper Strike Bath 120°F | Excellent |
Plating Copper (Cyanide):High-Speed Bath 180°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Copper (Cyanide):Rochelle Salt Bath 150°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Copper (Misc):Copper (Electroless) | Excellent |
Plating Copper (Misc):Copper Pyrophosphate | Excellent |
Plating Gold :Acid 75°F | Excellent |
Plating Gold :Cyanide 150°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Gold :Neutral 75°F | Excellent |
Plating Indium Sulfamate R.T. | Excellent |
Plating Iron :Ferrous Am Sulfate Bath 150°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Iron :Ferrous Chloride Bath 190°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Iron :Ferrous Sulfate Bath 150°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Iron :Fluoborate Bath 145°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Iron :Sulfamate 140°F | Excellent |
Plating Iron :Sulfate-Chloride Bath 160°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Lead Fluoborate | Excellent |
Plating Nickel :Electroless 200°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Nickel :Fluoborate 100-170°F | Excellent |
Plating Nickel :High-Chloride 130-160°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Nickel :Sulfamate 100-140°F | Excellent |
Plating Nickel :Watts Type 115-160°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Rhodium 120°F | Excellent |
Plating Silver 80-120°F | Excellent |
Plating Tin-Fluoborate 100°F | Excellent |
Plating Tin-Lead 100°F | Excellent |
Plating Zinc :Acid Chloride 140°F | Excellent |
Plating Zinc :Acid Fluoborate Bath R.T. | Excellent |
Plating Zinc :Acid Sulfate Bath 150°F | Unsuitable |
Plating Zinc :Alkaline Cyanide Bath R.T. | Excellent |
Potash (Potassium Carbonate) | Excellent |
Potassium Bicarbonate | Excellent |
Potassium Bromide | Excellent |
Potassium Chlorate | Excellent |
Potassium Chloride | Excellent |
Potassium Chromate | Excellent |
Potassium Cyanide Solutions | Excellent |
Potassium Dichromate | Excellent |
Potassium Ferricyanide | Excellent |
Potassium Ferrocyanide | Excellent |
Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Potassium Hypochlorite | Good up to 22°C |
Potassium Iodide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Potassium Nitrate | Excellent |
Potassium Oxalate | No Data |
Potassium Permanganate | Excellent up to 22°C |
Potassium Sulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Potassium Sulfide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Propane (liquefied) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Propylene | Good up to 22°C |
Propylene Glycol | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Pyridine | Unsuitable |
Pyrogallic Acid | Excellent |
Resorcinal | Poor |
Rosins | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Rum | Excellent |
Rust Inhibitors | No Data |
Salad Dressings | No Data |
Salicylic Acid | Good up to 22°C |
Salt Brine (NaCl saturated) | Excellent |
Sea Water | Excellent up to 48°C |
Shellac (Bleached) | No Data |
Shellac (Orange) | No Data |
Silicone | Excellent |
Silver Bromide | No Data |
Silver Nitrate | Excellent up to 22°C |
Soap Solutions | Excellent |
Soda Ash (see Sodium Carbonate) | Excellent |
Sodium Acetate | Good up to 22°C |
Sodium Aluminate | No Data |
Sodium Benzoate | Good up to 22°C |
Sodium Bicarbonate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Bisulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Bisulfite | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Borate (Borax) | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Bromide | Good up to 48°C |
Sodium Carbonate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Chlorate | Excellent up to 22°C |
Sodium Chloride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Chromate | No Data |
Sodium Cyanide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Ferrocyanide | Excellent |
Sodium Fluoride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Hydrosulfite | Poor |
Sodium Hydroxide (20%) | Excellent |
Sodium Hydroxide (50%) | Excellent |
Sodium Hydroxide (80%) | Excellent |
Sodium Hypochlorite (<20%) | Excellent |
Sodium Hypochlorite (100%) | Good |
Sodium Hyposulfate | No Data |
Sodium Metaphosphate | Excellent |
Sodium Metasilicate | Excellent |
Sodium Nitrate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Perborate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Peroxide | Good up to 48°C |
Sodium Polyphosphate | Excellent up to 22°C |
Sodium Silicate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Sulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Sulfide | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Sulfite | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Tetraborate | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sodium Thiosulfate (hypo) | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sorghum | No Data |
Soy Sauce | No Data |
Stannic Chloride | Excellent up to 48°C |
Stannic Fluoborate | No Data |
Stannous Chloride | Excellent up to 22°C |
Starch | Excellent |
Stearic Acid | Good up to 48°C |
Stoddard Solvent | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Styrene | Unsuitable |
Sugar (Liquids) | No Data |
Sulfate (Liquors) | Good |
Sulfur Chloride | Poor to 22°C (Unsuitable higher) |
Sulfur Dioxide | Excellent up to 22°C |
Sulfur Dioxide (dry) | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sulfur Hexafluoride | Good |
Sulfur Trioxide | Excellent |
Sulfur Trioxide (dry) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Sulfuric Acid (<10%) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Sulfuric Acid (10-75%) | Excellent up to 22°C |
Sulfuric Acid (75-100%) | Unsuitable |
Sulfuric Acid (cold concentrated) | Unsuitable |
Sulfuric Acid (hot concentrated) | Unsuitable |
Sulfurous Acid | Excellent up to 48°C |
Sulfuryl Chloride | No Data |
Tallow | No Data |
Tannic Acid | Excellent up to 22°C |
Tanning Liquors | Excellent up to 22°C |
Tartaric Acid | Excellent up to 22°C |
Tetrachloroethane | Poor |
Tetrachloroethylene | Unsuitable |
Tetrahydrofuran | Unsuitable |
Tin Salts | Excellent |
Toluene (Toluol) | Unsuitable |
Tomato Juice | Excellent |
Trichloroacetic Acid | Good |
Trichloroethane | Poor |
Trichloroethylene | Unsuitable |
Trichloropropane | No Data |
Tricresylphosphate | Unsuitable |
Triethylamine | Good |
Trisodium Phosphate | Excellent |
Turpentine | Unsuitable |
Urea | Unsuitable |
Uric Acid | Excellent |
Urine | Excellent |
Varnish | Unsuitable |
Vegetable Juice | No Data |
Vinegar | Good |
Vinyl Acatate | Unsuitable |
Vinyl Chloride | Unsuitable |
Water, Acid, Mine | Good |
Water, Deionized | Excellent up to 46°C |
Water, Distilled | Excellent up to 48°C |
Water, Fresh | Good |
Water, Salt | Good |
Weed Killers | No Data |
Whey | No Data |
Whiskey & Wines | Excellent up to 48°C |
White Liquor (Pulp Mill) | Excellent up to 48°C |
White Water (Paper Mill) | Excellent |
Xylene | Unsuitable |
Zinc Chloride | Good |
Zinc Hydrosulfite | No Data |
Zinc Sulfate | Excellent up to 48°C |
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Service) is the body that grants approvals for components and materials to be used in drinking water (potable water) systems in the UK. There are two different types of approval: materials and product. PVC pipe and fittings fall into the materials section as they are static products. All our PVC components are covered under WRAS approvals and are re-tested every 5 years to ensure we, and our suppliers, still comply.
To attain WRAS compliance the materials are tested by soaking in a water bath for a period and then testing the water for chemical presence, which, if present, would indicate leaching from the plastics tested. This is carried out by a small number of very specialised laboratories. All our PVC testing is carried out by the Thames Water Quality Testing Laboratory in London.
Our own WRAS approvals include:
- 1502537 - ERA Injection Moulded PVC-U Fittings
- 1805536 - Eviclear clear extruded PVCU Pipe
- 1805537 - Eviclear clear PVCU Fittings
We ensure that all our suppliers also carry the correct WRAS approvals for PVC pipe and fittings, and these include, but are not limited to:
- 1111094 - Polypipe Effast Range
- 1412524 - Weterings Plastics PVCU Pipe
- 1412319 - Plimat PVC-U Fittings
- 1405519, 1511504 and 1405518 - Griffon PVCU Solvent Cement Range
We are often asked the question "where can I buy PVC pipe near me?" or maybe you are looking to find a same day collection or next day delivery. In the UK, PVC pipe is not available in DIY or most trade plumbing stores. Although there are a small handful of specialist pipe suppliers who stock a decent range of fittings, the best place to find PVCU pipe is through online suppliers. Online stockists like us tend to stock a far greater range of parts, pipes and tubes and can send them out by courier with a variety of different options including next working day, am (morning or pre-noon) or even same working day if you are desperate for them. Plastic Pipe Shop are one of the top UK suppliers and also one of the largest UK stockists of PVC pipe systems. Although >95% of our parts are sent out with carriers to all over the UK, we also operate a trade counter at our warehouses in Stirling. If you visit our warehouses, our staff will be happy to show you any parts and discuss your requirements and plans with you.
Plastic pipe is much more prone to expansion and contraction with changes in temperature than metal pipes such as copper and steel.
In situations where there are long pipe lengths being installed, it is necessary to ensure that precautions are made to allow for contraction and expansion. A failure to consider this can result in the PVC pipe becoming stressed as it tries to expand or contract, but the installation will not allow it. By clipping the pipe hard, you will not stop the expansion or contraction, you will merely direct the forces of it to a different section of the pipe which can sometimes result in breakage of the pipe.
By following the points below, you can avoid issues with contraction and expansion on PVC pipe lengths of over 5m:
- Use pipe clips that allow the pipe to slide through (not rubber lined types)
- Ensure both ends of the pipe are not bolted hard to a wall or other stop point. The pipe needs somewhere to expand to
- If your pipe is going to be exposed to extreme temperatures and sometimes lie empty or static, think about insulating your pipe
- Be conscious of whether you are fitting your pipe in an unheated building during winter, or if the building is going to be warm or hot when completed, such as in some aquaculture and horticulture situations
The coefficient of linear expansion of PVC pipe is 7.8 x 10-5m/m.°C. This is nearly twice that of copper and three times that of mild steel. Using this value, a 20m length of pipe will expand 4mm with a 25°C rise. This may not sound a lot, but if the pipe is clipped hard at either end the expansion power has to go somewhere!
The calculation for this can be found at The Engineering Toolbox.